In cooperation with HELP

Region: Southern Serbia – Nis, Vranje, Bujanovac, Gadzin Han, Pirot, Presevo

Budget: 1,401,175.00 EUR

Donor: Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Belgrade, German Government through the Stability pact for southeast Europe, the cities of Nis and Vranje, and the municipalities of Bujanovac , Gadžin Han, Pirot and Preševo

Duration: October 2008 – March 2010

Following ten years of experience in implementing local economic development projects, the program “Support to local sustainable development in southern Serbia” is based on educational and economic support to increase the employment of young people. In order to be able to give better respones to the needs of the local population and the current situation in the economy of southern Serbia, the program consists of several components, of which implementation should contribute to direct employment of at least 400 unemployed, as well as general improvement of future social, cultural and professional life of young people.

The components of the program are:

  • Providing 320 grants with an average value of 2,000 EUR for new businesses (60% of supported businesses are run by young entrepreneurs);
  • Business and professional trainings (at least 320 business and 160 professional trainings);
  • Internships in private companies (at least 30 young people did internships);
  • 20 clients supported through a pilot activity under a donation-loan scheme;
  • Development of cooperatives (special initiative based on the findings of previous projects);
  • Development of local capacity and advocacy for youth employment policy at the national and regional level (in cooperation with existing youth associations and other civil society organizations through:
  • youth employment fairs and other networking activities;
  • small-scale project initiatives implemented by youth associations.

The general goal of the program is to contribute to sustainable development with a focus on empowering local economic structures, while the specific goals are aimed at educational and economic support with the intention of increasing employment opportunities for young people.
Through local NGOs engaged directly in the field, the procedures and methodologies developed in southeast Europe since 2002 will be applied. Experienced project teams will train, advise and monitor supported entrepreneurs.
Clients should prove their commitment to business by fulfilling obligations such as returning 20% ​​of the total value of delivered equipment / materials, performing 15 hours of community service for local communities, registering a business in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Serbia and receiving business and professional training.